I’ve been trying to get my head around the Virtual Reality program, ‘Second Life’, for a few days now – think I’ve finally managed how to lengthen my chin, and stay on dry land – and mastered it (that’s an exaggeration… more like: I felt confident enough to use the new-fangled program) about an hour-before the exclusive “300” press conference, that many of us webmasters were invited to participate in, this morning. It was quite a weird setting for a press conference, I’ve gotta say, but it’s obviously the way of the future.

So what is it? As the program’s FAQ explains, ‘Second Life’ is a 3-D virtual world entirely built and owned by its residents. Since opening to the public in 2003, it has grown explosively and today is inhabited by a total of 4,702,807 people from around the globe. From the moment you enter the World you'll discover a vast digital continent, teeming with people, entertainment, experiences and opportunity. Once you've explored a bit, perhaps you'll find a perfect parcel of land to build your house or business. You'll also be surrounded by the Creations of your fellow residents. Because residents retain the rights to their digital creations, they can buy, sell and trade with other residents. The Marketplace currently supports millions of US dollars in monthly transactions. This commerce is handled with the in-world unit-of-trade, the Linden dollar, which can be converted to US dollars at several thriving online Linden Dollar exchanges.”

It’s actually kinda weird.

Anyway…

Frank Miller, Zack Snyder, Gerard Butler, Lena Headey and Rodrigo Santoro were all-on hand to answer questions from the ‘off-line’ and ‘on-line’ crowds present for the ‘way too early in the morning for my liking’ event.

I’m as tired as a hooker on Valentine’s day, so I’m just going to lay out some of the finer points of the press conference in dot points; there were some pretty cool things discussed actually…

The “300” DVD
Snyder said that there won’t be any changes to the film, but one of the scenes that they had to cut for the theatrical version - which “has these albino giants with elves riding on their backs, and they're shooting arrows at the Spartans” – will be debuting on the disc.

The “300” sequel
Snyder said there would only be a sequel if Frank Miller wrote it. Miller added that he knows “what the sequel would be”.

The “Escape From New York” remake
Gerard Butler addressed the news that he’s attached to play the new Snake Plissken, saying it’ll be “cool” and “exciting” to do something new with the classic. He noted that the film doesn’t have a director yet.

[it was about this time, the my computer decided to freeze – it’s a big ass program this one – and I found it difficult to work my way back in].

I ‘hear’ they also mentioned Tom Cruise turning down a role in Snyder’s “Watchmen” and Snyder reiterated that he’d like to make the film “R” rated.

Anyway, promised I'd meet a trio of nymphet's near the park bench... better log on again.